Page 66 of Path of the Dark
“Maybe it wasn’t a ruse?” Ninia countered. The king’s fury was blistering, but she wouldn’t back down. “I believe Elias does want peace.”
The king’s clenched fist slammed down on the table. The sound boomed through the chamber. “You defend him?”
Ninia stared back at him, her own hands balling into fists on her lap. Her heart started to pound against her breast bone. Nathan was threatening, but she wouldn’t let him dominate her. He wasn’therking.
“Reoul of Anthor sits on the Swallow Throne plotting while he sends his son to kill you.” Nathan bit out the words. “And now he’s in league with the same enchanter who nearly freed Valgarth … the man Ryana assured me was dead.”
“We all thought Gael was,” Asher interjected.
Nathan leaned forward, clasping his hands together. His nostrils flared when he fixed Asher with a hard stare. Ninia let out a slow breath, relieved that the king had found another focus for his anger. “Thought, isn’t good enough.”
Asher’s jaw tightened at that, but this time he held his tongue. The king’s temper held by a thread.
Silence fell in the chamber, while Nathan silently seethed.
Ninia cast a cautious glance around her, taking in the tense faces and wary gazes. Would anyone dare speak?
Eventually, the king reclined in his chair and began to slowly twist his signet ring once more. “When I heard that Anthor had repaired and remanned the leagueforts, my first instinct was to rebuild my army and ready myself for an attack,” he rumbled. “I gathered men from every corner of the kingdom to my side, but the Anthor prince’s arrival deflected my focus.” Nathan paused here, his gaze sweeping around the table. “I’ll not wait till they march on us. Reoul is a usurper. He knows that the use of Stynix is forbidden, yet he’ll stop at nothing to extend his power.” Nathan’s attention came to rest upon Ninia then, pinning her to the spot. “We will march south, liberate Veldoras from its oppressors … and put the rightful heir on The Swallow Throne.”
Ninia flinched, as if he’d just struck her. She’d been expecting his rage, but not this. She stared, aghast. “Your Highness,” she began, using Nathan’s title for the first time since entering the chamber. Now was not the time for defiance. “I’m not ready. Of course, I wish to see an end to my people’s suffering … but this is too soon.”
Nathan shook his head. “This isn’t up for debate, princess. It’s time for you to accept who you are … to accept your destiny.”
Ninia’s fists tightened, her fingernails digging into her palms. “But what about my training? My life is here, with the Order.”
“Your life is in Veldoras, ruling your people,” Nathan countered, his expression turning fierce. “Thûn has been crushed, stripped of hope. It needs you.”
Asher found Ninia atop the flat roof of the House of Light and Darkness.
She was leaning against the balustrade, staring off into the distance. Joining her, Asher didn’t speak immediately. After they’d returned from the palace, he’d left Ninia alone for a while. However, when she didn’t appear for the noon meal, he’d gone looking for her. She hadn’t been in her chamber, so the roof was the next place to look.
The sun beat down on them, heat rising up from the surrounding stone. There was no shade up here, and yet Ninia didn’t seem to notice the blinding sun. Her face was hard, her hazel eyes almost green with the force of the emotions churning within her.
“This isn’t the end, you know,” Asher said softly, breaking the silence. “You will be the first enchanter queen of The Four Kingdoms of Serran.”
Ninia glanced his way, her gaze narrowing. “What? I can’t be both.”
He huffed. “Who says you can’t? Once you’re queen of Thûn, you make the rules. You can rebuild the Order in Veldoras, if you wish.”
Ninia stared at him, realization dawning in her eyes. But they were still shadowed. “I love being an enchanter,” she whispered. “I like living as I please. I don’t want to go back to Veldoras … not yet.”
Asher sighed, turning his gaze from her a moment and looking out across the rooftops and the verdant valley beyond. “I understand how you feel,” he said after a pause. “More than you realize.”
Ninia’s brow furrowed. “How so?”
“I didn’t want to become High Enchanter,” he replied with a wry smile. “A couple of months ago, I considered leaving the Order. Mira wanted us to run away together … and I was tempted.”
“What stopped you?”
Asher reached up and dragged a hand through his hair. “Nathan asked me if I would consider taking on the role, but that wasn’t the reason why I stayed.” He broke off there, searching for the right words. He didn’t want to sermonize. “I realized that there are some responsibilities we can’t run from … there are some things we must face.”
Ninia watched him. Her frown had deepened, but she didn’t contradict him.
“Your path was never going to be easy,” Asher continued. “Not only were you born a princess, but you are also an enchanter of incredible power. With all of that comes great responsibility.”
Ninia muttered a curse under her breath. “No doubt, Nathan will have me on the front line once we reach the gates of Veldoras.”
“Aye, and that’s because he knows you will fight to free your people,” Asher answered. There wasn’t any point in treading lightly; Ninia preferred it when he was direct. “I know Elias failed in his mission, but his father sent him here to assassinate you nonetheless. Reoul poses a great danger to The Four Kingdoms. Every day more reports reach us of how the people of Veldoras suffer under his yoke. Thûn needs you, Ninia.”
